Sailor Kiwa Guro Nano Black

Handwritten Review

Pen: Lamy AL-Star Matte Black Limited Edition – Fine Nib
Ink: Sailor Kiwa Guro Nano Black (wow that’s a mouthful)
Paper: Rhodia dotPad, No. 16

Notes: Well, it’s taken me forever, but here’s my review of Sailor’s Kiwa Guro Nano Black (wow again, mouthful). After much trial and even more error, I have gone through a lot of black inks and this one is my go-to. All others have fallen short for me in one way or another. It’s the best balance of smooth writing, fast drying, darkness, and performance. It’s probably the best ink I’ve used period. Kiwa Guro is filled with tiny “nano particles” (a.k.a. pigment) that puts down a smooth, permanent, archivally safe line. Essentially, it’s a pigmented ink that works great on every type of paper I’ve thrown it at. It dried pretty quick on Rhodia and other slick papers, and it’s nearly instant and feather-free on copy paper. There’s no shading (which I like in a black ink) making it a true, dark black. I really love the semi-matte finish. This ink is right at home in a matte black pen, in which I happen to only have a few of…There’s really not much more I can say, other than that if I’m writing with a black ink, there’s a 99% chance it’s this one. After trying at least 20 black inks over the years, this one was the most enjoyable. Do yourself a favor and pick up a sample before you commit to an entire bottle, because at around $25 – it doesn’t come cheap.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the pictures! I brought this one back into the “laboratory” and went for the sterile white background. Let me know if you guys prefer this to great outdoors approach in my review of Noodler’s #41 Brown.

Pros: